While certainly not traditional I'm trying to figure out a way to run a backup camera and maybe even side view cams. I would love to integrate the screen into the dash but I'm not sure there is enough room in the 47 to 54 GM dash. I'll be towing often so it would help with hook up as well as backing. The side view might be just a dream but it would be nice to tow and not need monster mirrors. Any of you have any experience with this? I'm open to ideas, suggestions, or any advice...
i do have 'monster mirrors' (they are actually cl***ic 'west coast' mirrors ) ... but like you i tow a lot and was also just thinking about additional rear camera(s) to get rid of some death spots, as well as aiding in backing up i have seen monitors hidden in/ or behind the sun visor; flip the visor down when you need the camera... flip it up when you want to hide it would love to hear other ideas
Spartanette, my Autocar will be configured a lot like your DT and I plan to tow often also. I want to put power mirrors on mine so I can move them around when backing with a trailer. (truck driving bro-in-law explained that one to me) I also want rear cameras for getting around in car shows, tight quarters and not being able to see directly behind the truck scares me. I can configure my dash any way I want, so I hadn't thought about where to place the monitor, but I like the sun visor idea. I also think it would be nice to have one on the back of the travel trailer I will be pulling, not sure how one could hook and unhook the camera connection. I just bought a new car that has a back-up camera, sure saves this old mans neck, but it only works in reverse!
I have been mounting one at the front of the bed so I can see to hook up my 5th wheel....the bed is so high you can not see it unless you are between the truck and trailer......for some reason my wife does not like to be there during hook up.....
I have one in my H1 and though I don't have a lot to add to your problem, I would recommend getting one that is hard wired. Wireless may seem nice due to the ease of installation but the picture ****s and often gets fuzzy. I had a hard wired one on my gravel truck(to help hook up bobcat trailer) and it was great. Never had an issue with the image, and that one took a lot more abuse than the one on my H1.
I saw a rear camera at auto zone and you could add two side units to it . It had a rather small screen compared to like a new ford truck but you could see good . It was not to expensive . Next time I go to town I will see what brand it was .
Wolfcreek Steve i completely agree with Sluggish; hard wiring is preferable a camera at the back of the trailer is a excellent idea i think you could simply run a commercial PA quality quick release & piggytail wire maybe zip-tied together with your trailer piggytail ... i`m also interested to see behind me when i have my "crane" mounted on the back ; it is very handy around the yard, but backing it up to a spot is hard with just the mirrors
I have 3 backup cameras on my unit. One is at the rear licence plate and the other two are hidden at the cab steps in 39 Chevy tail lights. They are connected into a switch that feeds into my head unit in the overhead console. They are great for backing up and parking.
Hey Russ, I hoped you were going to chime in, or I was going to have to bug you for more info. Can you give us some details and maybe some photo's of the equipment you are using, brand names, model numbers etc. I remember making a mental note of the way you mounted your cameras in the tail light housing and thinking that was very cool. I am a long way from installing cameras, but they say planning is everything.
My cameras are Boyo vtk350's. Technology is always changing so check your local car audio store. R/V stores have complete systems, but I found them to be expensive. Hardwire will give the best images. I do use a separate wireless camera and monitor to aid getting the truck in and out of the garage instead of having my wife guide me. Best $100 I ever spent.
Interesting thoughts guys. Hard wired is a must. I'd be real curious to see the cameras hidden in The tail lights / steps.
This camera look pretty discreet, they also come non-chromed. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA12Y1D76258 For the viewing screen, you can get one built into a rear view mirror, that also is quite discreet. I don't have any knowledge of quality.
i`m working on a DIY full digital dash (arduino based) to display all my vitals my DiamondT was missing the gauges and the donor ch***is is an IH who`s gauges have the reputation to be cheap and unreliable initially i wanted to use high visible LED bar segment displays discretely hidden in the upper windshield frame, something similar to this guys Landrover setup; but this talk about cameras makes me rethink that whole concept ... maybe i`m switching to a full high def screen; this way i could display the speed/vitals and have the camera view in the same display hidden overhead
50 Spart, I recently bought a new daily driver and it has a couple of screens. One has the back up camera, radio, Navigation, phone, and a whole bunch of **** I'm still learning. The other can be redundant for all of those plus adding the speedo and a bunch of other stuff. It's amazing what can be integrated into a good looking, easy to read high def screen. I say, go for it. Steve, thanks for the newegg link.
My COE will have a flip screen radio mounted in the dash. The screen can display a view from the back up camera, and with the aid of a 4-camera switch, I will be able to choose between multiple views. My four camera views will be rear view, one looking down and slightly out on each side and maybe one looking down to see the front bumper...the hitch view is a good idea as well. Many of these touch screen radio's are also equipped with tachometers, and speed warning systems. I'll have navigation on mine as well for road trips. FYI - They can also play music with the screen in or out.
Mike, very interesting ideas. I like where you are going with the cameras -- a lot. I hope my post about this thread didn't contribute to the other thread being closed, but I'm afraid because of the timing that it might have.
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